But he entered a plea agreement this morning before senior Madison County Circuit Judge Jim Smith. As part of the plea deal Thompson entered a guilty plea to manslaughter and also and unrelated assault charge.

Madison County Assistant District Attorney Bill Starnes said the case was complicated by the family dynamics, where as one family member put it, they were in the "position of losing both brothers."

Starnes said Thompson beat and strangled Ingram to death apparently over his suspicions about Ingram cooperating with police in the assault case which involved a third man.

The fatal encounter took place at a home on 6th Avenue in Huntsville

Thompson was arrested a few days later, Starnes said. Investigators found blood in the truck he was driving and also on his hands. DNA testing of the blood showed it was Ingram's, Starnes said.

"Given the complexities of the case, in terms of who was involved, it was very important that the family be comfortable with what happened and how we proceeded," Starnes said. "They were, so we are as well."